Monk d'Wally de Honk
Member
Thought I'd start a journal for this, the new studio tank. Originally I was going to refit my old 24" tank that housed a breeding pair of Apistogramma Cacatuoides and a few Otos. It was planted and had a large piece of bogwood they used as a cave and did alright as long as you didn't mind the constant fight against algae that I stayed on top of in the main. I broke it down and placed the inhabitants into a cube I had with rocks and some rummynoses and they were happy there for what was going to be a couple of weeks.
I came into the studio one Monday morning to discover a power cut in the night had plummeted tank temperatures and had killed all the fish. A real kick in the teeth.
Since then a few things have happened. Digging around the loft space here I found an old 100ltr Clearseal aquarium 36" long that had only been used once on a photoshoot (I am based in a photo studio) The photographer was no longer in need of it as he had recently purchased the biggest ADA he could get (he filled it with wine for a shoot - don't ask).
So now I have a new, bigger, all glass tank that looks very nice and clean. I've made a shopping list of things I needed to make it work. I've had to build a frame out of timber to go under the desk to support the tank weight. The T5 light unit needed a couple of bars to hang on that I had made from Perspex. And a new Eheim classic external filter. A few of the more expensive Items I have bought from ebay, often from sellers in the far east which means incredibly long shipping times. I bought a refurbished fire extinguisher and found someone that will refill it for £10 in Wimbledon. Still waiting to arrive are the solonoid/regulator, bubble counter, drop checker, diffuser and lily pipes, and also some frosted glass backing from TGM.
From Aquaessentials I've bought Tropica plant growth substrate and Fiji sand. Clear co2 and filter tubing, and 3 decent sized Landscape rocks to go with my existing rock. Richard is very helpful explaining sizes/weights and chose lovely pieces for me.
I have chiselled a few of my chunky bits of bogwood to try and get a more branching/rooty sort of look and still need to work on this but for now, my dry rough layout is starting to take shape. Just need the deliveries all to arrive so I can add water - fill with plants - mature - add fish/shrimp.
Anyway, here's the layout as it is, probably will add a bit more sand at the back and try and reduce the level at the front a bit to even it off. Let me know any thoughts, feel free to criticise or offer advice.
cheers. xx
I came into the studio one Monday morning to discover a power cut in the night had plummeted tank temperatures and had killed all the fish. A real kick in the teeth.
Since then a few things have happened. Digging around the loft space here I found an old 100ltr Clearseal aquarium 36" long that had only been used once on a photoshoot (I am based in a photo studio) The photographer was no longer in need of it as he had recently purchased the biggest ADA he could get (he filled it with wine for a shoot - don't ask).
So now I have a new, bigger, all glass tank that looks very nice and clean. I've made a shopping list of things I needed to make it work. I've had to build a frame out of timber to go under the desk to support the tank weight. The T5 light unit needed a couple of bars to hang on that I had made from Perspex. And a new Eheim classic external filter. A few of the more expensive Items I have bought from ebay, often from sellers in the far east which means incredibly long shipping times. I bought a refurbished fire extinguisher and found someone that will refill it for £10 in Wimbledon. Still waiting to arrive are the solonoid/regulator, bubble counter, drop checker, diffuser and lily pipes, and also some frosted glass backing from TGM.
From Aquaessentials I've bought Tropica plant growth substrate and Fiji sand. Clear co2 and filter tubing, and 3 decent sized Landscape rocks to go with my existing rock. Richard is very helpful explaining sizes/weights and chose lovely pieces for me.
I have chiselled a few of my chunky bits of bogwood to try and get a more branching/rooty sort of look and still need to work on this but for now, my dry rough layout is starting to take shape. Just need the deliveries all to arrive so I can add water - fill with plants - mature - add fish/shrimp.
Anyway, here's the layout as it is, probably will add a bit more sand at the back and try and reduce the level at the front a bit to even it off. Let me know any thoughts, feel free to criticise or offer advice.
cheers. xx